President Donald Trump speaks on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Oval Office of the White House in January. Also pictured, from left, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, Vice President Mike Pence, White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, Press Secretary Sean Spicer and National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images file photo)

President Donald Trump on Saturday contended that former national security advisor Michael Flynn did nothing illegal during the 2016 campaign, tweeting that Flynn erred only in lying to federal officials.

“I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies,” Trump tweeted.

I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!